COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION

of 15 June 2020

assessing the progress made by the participating Member States to fulfil commitments undertaken in the framework of permanent structured cooperation (PESCO)

(2020/C /)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 46(6) thereof,

Having regard to Protocol No 10 on permanent structured cooperation established by Article 42 of the Treaty on European Union, attached to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/2315 of 11 December 2017 establishing permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) and determining the list of participating Member States (1),

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1)	Point (d) of Article 4(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2017/2315 provides that the Council is to adopt decisions and recommendations assessing the contributions of participating Member States (pMS) to fulfil the agreed commitments, according to the mechanism described in Article 6 of that Decision.

(2)

Article 6(3) of Decision (CFSP) 2017/2315 provides that, on the basis of the annual report on PESCO presented by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (High Representative), the Council is to review once a year whether the pMS continue to fulfil the more binding commitments referred to in Article 3 of that Decision.

(3)

Paragraph 15 of the Council Recommendation of 6 March 2018 concerning a roadmap for the implementation of PESCO (2) provides that, as of 2020, the High Representative should present his annual report in March or April of each year, taking into account the revised and updated national implementation plans (NIPs) presented by pMS in January of the same year. Paragraph 16 of that Recommendation provides that the Military Committee of the European Union should provide the Political and Security Committee with military advice and recommendations to enable it to prepare the Council's review on whether the pMS continue to fulfil the more binding commitments, by May of each year.

(4)

Paragraph 26 of the Council Recommendation of 15 October 2018 concerning the sequencing of the fulfilment of the more binding commitments undertaken in the framework of permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) and specifying more precise objectives (3) provides that the High Representative should take that Recommendation into account in the annual report on PESCO, which will support the assessment of the fulfilment of the more binding commitments by each pMS.

(5)

Point (c) of Article 4(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2017/2315 provides that the Council is to adopt decisions and recommendations updating, and enhancing if necessary, the more binding commitments set out in the Annex to that Decision in light of the achievements made through PESCO, in order to reflect the Union's evolving security environment. Such decisions are to be taken in particular at the end of the phases referred to in point (b) of Article 4(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2017/2315, based on a strategic review process assessing the fulfilment of the PESCO commitments.

(6)

Paragraph 14 of the Council Recommendation of 14 May 2019 assessing the progress made by the participating Member States to fulfil commitments undertaken in the framework of permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) (4) provides that in addition to describing the status of PESCO implementation, including the fulfilment by each pMS of its commitments in accordance with its NIP, the High Representative is invited to also provide in the 2020 annual report first proposals with a view to the strategic review process at the end of the first PESCO phase (2018-2020), taking into consideration other relevant EU initiatives contributing to the fulfilment of the Union's Level of Ambition in the area of security and defence.

(7)	On 15 April 2020, the High Representative provided the Council with his annual report on the status of PESCO implementation, including on the fulfilment, by each pMS, of its commitments, in accordance with its revised and updated NIP.

(8)	On that basis, the Council should therefore adopt a Recommendation assessing the progress made by the pMS to fulfil commitments undertaken in the framework of PESCO,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

I.   Objective and scope

1.

The objective of this Recommendation is to assess the contributions made by the pMS to fulfil the more binding commitments undertaken in the framework of PESCO, based on the Annual Report on the Status of PESCO Implementation provided by the High Representative on 15 April 2020 (Annual Report) and in accordance with the NIPs presented by the pMS.

2.

Following the Recommendation adopted by the Council on 14 May 2019, the Annual Report also includes a dedicated chapter on the PESCO strategic review at the end of the first PESCO phase (2018-2020) and provides recommendations and proposals on the commitments, projects and processes as well as working methods that are addressed in this Recommendation.

II.   Findings and assessment

3.

The Annual Report provides a solid basis to assess the status of PESCO implementation, including the fulfilment, by each pMS, of its commitments, in accordance with its NIP.

4.

By addressing Europe's current and future security and defence needs, notably with their current and future efforts to fulfil their more binding commitments, the pMS contribute to enhancing the Union's capacity to act as a security provider and its strategic autonomy, and strengthen its ability to cooperate with partners and to protect its citizens.

5.

Overall, the Council underlines that the pMS: (a) confirmed the positive trajectory in terms of the commitments related to defence budgets and defence investment expenditure. However, overall progress remains modest at this stage and, although the pMS face financial challenges as a consequence of the COVID-19 crisis, they are encouraged to allocate the necessary resources to further contribute to this positive trend in the coming years. The pMS are also encouraged to further contribute to a European collaborative approach (for example through equipment procurement and defence research and technology); (b) are strongly encouraged to take more into account and make better use in their national defence planning processes, as an element of orientation and decision making, of the EU defence planning tools such as the Capability Development Plan (CDP), which also includes the results of the Headline Goal Process (HLGP), the Strategic Context Cases (SCC), the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) as well as other initiatives such as the European Defence Industrial Development Programme or other relevant EU instruments. In that regard, the Council underlines the importance that EU institutions, agencies and bodies and Member States further enhance the coherence between these tools and initiatives, while recognising that they are distinct and have different legal bases; (c) are encouraged to make further progress in fulfilling the commitments related to bringing their defence apparatus in line with each other and to regularly review plans and objectives to be taken forward, notably with a view to playing a substantial role in capability development within the Union, including within the framework of CARD, while recognising that this requires a sustained longer-term effort. The Council recalls that in its Recommendation of 14 May 2019, it indicated that the coherence of output between CARD and the CDP, on the one hand, and respective NATO processes such as the NATO Defence Planning Process, on the other hand, has been and will continue to be ensured where requirements overlap, while recognising the different nature of the two organisations and their respective responsibilities and memberships. The Council encourages further discussions amongst Member States on such a coherence between those processes, as appropriate; (d) should, in order to increase the operational output as a matter of urgency, enhance their efforts as regards the commitments related to strengthening the availability, deployability and interoperability of forces including by completely filling the EU Battlegroup roster, the Rapid Response Data Base and the Statements of Requirements for common security and defence policy (CSDP) missions and operations. In particular, it is important that their contribution to support CSDP missions and operations should improve qualitatively and quantitatively, also with a view to the most demanding missions. With regard to the more binding commitment on the ambitious approach by the pMS on the common funding of military CSDP missions and operations, the implementation is linked to the Athena Mechanism review and to the establishment by the Council of the proposed European Peace Facility, which are currently being discussed by Member States; (e) have shown limited progress, compared to the updated NIPs provided in 2019, in taking measures to address capability shortcomings identified under the CDP and CARD, including an assessment of the implementation of High Impact Capability Goals (HICGs), and should therefore consider undertaking more efforts to increase the use of a European collaborative approach as a priority in national planning. The pMS should also indicate how their capability development projects strengthen the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base; (f) still have to enhance their efforts with a view to fulfilling the commitments related to taking part, where appropriate, in major joint or European equipment programmes in the framework of the European Defence Agency.

6.

In light of the findings and recommendations of the Annual Report as regards the individual NIPs, each pMS is encouraged to continue efforts and review its contribution to the fulfilment of the more binding commitments accordingly.

7.

Taking into account the fact that PESCO aims at contributing to the fulfilment of the Union's Level of Ambition in the area of security and defence, including with a view to the most demanding missions, further work needs to be done to define the 'coherent full spectrum force package' in line with the parameters mentioned in the PESCO common notification.

8.

As Member States only have a 'single set of forces' which they can use within different frameworks, the development of Member States' capabilities within the EU frameworks will also help to strengthen defence capabilities potentially available to other frameworks, including the United Nations and NATO.

III.   National Implementation Plans

9.

While the quality of the information provided in the NIPs has overall improved, the pMS are invited to further improve the quality and ensure the appropriate level of granularity of the information provided, with particular emphasis on developing dedicated forward-looking plans on how they envisage contributing to the fulfilment of more binding commitments and more precise objectives of PESCO. As the NIPs should provide an important basis for political oversight, maintaining momentum, and ensuring transparency among pMS, the Council emphasises the need to improve their political dimension, in order to facilitate discussions at political level on the progress made on the more binding commitments.

10.

The pMS are encouraged to continue to engage in bilateral dialogues with the PESCO secretariat on the review and update of their future NIPs and with a view to ensuring transparency among themselves and further developing coherence and consistency in relation to the information required and provided in the context of PESCO.

IV.   PESCO projects

11.

The majority of the 47 projects being developed under PESCO are considered to contribute to the implementation of the EU Capability Development Priorities, with 24 of them directly addressing the HICGs and 12 indirectly. Three projects have already reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC) and 23 are planned to reach IOC in the timeframe 2020-2023. However, more than two-thirds (30) of the projects remain at their ideation phase, including some which were already established in March and November 2018.

12.

In light of the PESCO projects' progress reports to the Council of 28 February 2020, pMS are encouraged to focus on swift and effective implementation of their projects in order to deliver the expected outputs and products, with a view to fulfilling the more binding commitments. The pMS are also encouraged to enhance and accelerate the processes leading to the adoption of Project Arrangements in an effort to achieve more clarity and certainty regarding emerging projects at a faster pace. The Council also recalls that there is a need to reinforce the reviewing process of the progress of PESCO projects, using clear, targeted and transparent criteria developed in close coordination with pMS. It further stresses that, when project members identify that projects are encountering difficulties in delivering results, those projects should either be revived or closed, in order to ensure the relevance and credibility of all PESCO projects.

13.

The Council considers that in order to be able to better assess the progress of the projects and identify synergies, dedicated workshops on PESCO projects management and events on the projects' progress should be organised to facilitate further discussion between pMS. The Council also recognises the need for a better common understanding of terms and definitions related to the project development and management. In addition, the PESCO secretariat should continue to provide expertise upon request and to facilitate liaison with other EU actors as regards possible synergies with other EU instruments and initiatives developed in other relevant EU institutional frameworks to ensure transparency and inclusiveness and avoid unnecessary duplications.

14.

The Council highlights that clustering, merging or grouping of projects in order to increase synergies, their impact and efficiency, save resources and prevent duplications should be considered where appropriate and when project members, considering a supporting role for the PESCO secretariat, agree.

15.

With a view to identifying future PESCO project proposals, the Council recommends continuing to use as a baseline the agreed EU Capability Development Priorities which are derived from the CDP, and which include the HICGs, and to take the related SCC as implementing guidance. In addition, the findings of the CARD Aggregated Analysis and the CARD Report should be taken as a pathfinder to help pMS identify opportunities for collaborative projects, including in the operational domain. The Council stresses that suitable PESCO projects could benefit from future funding under the European Defence Fund (EDF), if eligible.

16.

While pMS are encouraged to continue submitting project proposals covering a broad range of topics, the Council also invites the submission of project proposals with a more operational focus and short-term impact based on already existing capabilities. To that end, more refined or additional criteria for the selection of more mature proposals for projects which directly contribute to mitigating shortfalls as identified in the CDP, including the HICGs, can be developed together with pMS.

17.

In line with its Conclusions on Security and Defence in the context of the EU Global Strategy of June 2019, the Council looks forward to the adoption, as soon as possible, of a Council Decision on the general conditions under which third States could exceptionally be invited to participate in individual PESCO projects, in accordance with point (g) of Article 4(2) and Article 9 of Decision (CFSP) 2017/2315, the guidance provided in the PESCO notification as well as Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/909 (5), establishing a common set of governance rules for PESCO projects.

V.   PESCO Strategic Review

18.

A pMS-driven PESCO strategic review process was launched in December 2019 assessing the fulfilment of the PESCO more binding commitments, as laid down in Decision (CSFP) 2017/2315. The proposals and recommendations set out in Part V draw on the various discussions and inputs provided by pMS, including the recommendations provided in the Annual Report. Commitments

19.

The Council underlines that the current set of more binding commitments has proven to be solid guidelines in ensuring consistent implementation of PESCO and should therefore not be changed at this stage. However, the Council also highlights that there is a need to step up the efforts to fulfil those more binding commitments.

20.

In addition, the Council stresses that it is necessary that pMS agree on the objectives and concrete deliverables for the next PESCO phase (2021-2025) as part of the PESCO Strategic Review process this year, also considering new areas of cooperation in light of the evolving security context, in particular, but not limited to, climate change, countering hybrid threats, cyber, artificial intelligence, space-related aspects, energy security and maritime security, as well as on tangible results to be achieved both from a capability perspective and from an operational angle. Furthermore, identified mid- and long-term consequences and challenges of the response to complex emergencies, such as pandemics that could be addressed within the PESCO framework, should be taken into account. A revision and update of the Council Recommendation of 15 October 2018 on the more precise objectives should take all of the above into account. As part of this process, the Council stresses the need to use the PESCO Strategic Review to identify those projects which will start delivering concrete results by 2025.

21.

The Council highlights that options to improve the follow-up to the fulfilment of all more binding commitments, including at political level and via the Political and Security Committee (PSC), should be further explored, in particular where progress was assessed by the High Representative and highlighted by the Council as not sufficient, namely on operational commitments, as well as on the commitments related to the European collaborative approach. Further discussions on progress indicators, which could assist pMS in planning to fulfil the more binding commitments and to facilitate the assessment of progress as outlined in paragraph 2 of the Council Recommendation of 15 October 2018, are also encouraged.

22.

The Council underlines that options for innovative incentives to promote the fulfilment of PESCO's operational commitments may be considered and further explored, with a particular focus on improving the availability, deployability and interoperability of forces to CSDP missions and operations. It stresses that this should also take into account ongoing work and inform future efforts on the common funding of military CSDP missions and operations.

23.

The Council underlines that discussions on the Strategic Compass and its EU-level threat analysis, to be delivered by the end of 2020, should lead to a clearer direction for EU initiatives, such as PESCO. This necessary process could further contribute to develop the common European security and defence culture, informed by our shared values and objectives and which respects the specific character of the security and defence policies of the Member States.

24.

The Council recognises the need to continue efforts, also through the PESCO Strategic Review, in ensuring the coherence and coordination between different EU defence initiatives (CARD, PESCO, and the future EDF) under closer political monitoring and guidance by Member States, including at ministerial level, while recognising that those initiatives are distinct and have different legal bases. Projects

25.

The Council emphasises that the PESCO project cycle should be aligned with the CARD cycle in order to use its findings and recommendations as a pathfinder for opportunities for collaborative projects and provide an improved framework for pMS to submit more ambitious project proposals, including in the operational domain. In addition, the results of the HLGP have a specific importance for CSDP missions and operations, which should be taken into account when proposing new PESCO projects with a view to strengthening the fulfilment of the operational commitments. Those considerations should guide the definition of the project submission cycle, while taking into account the balance between administrative burden and the outcome and quality of PESCO projects. Processes

26.

As regards the NIPs' cycle, the Council invites the PESCO secretariat to provide detailed options on how to improve the coherence between the cycles of PESCO NIPs and CARD as well as the HLGP. This should also aim at reducing the administrative burden and improving the quality of the NIPs, also ensuring the appropriate level of detail. It stresses that at the same time the necessary political momentum needs to be ensured, as well as the Council's role in providing strategic direction and guidance for PESCO on an annual basis. The Council should also consider the possibility of adjusting the deadlines for pMS to hand in PESCO documents, also with regard to the submission of NIPs and project proposals.

VI.   Way forward

27.

The Council invites: — the PESCO secretariat to prepare and organise dedicated workshops with pMS in 2020 in order to further improve the related PESCO processes (inter alia the future PESCO NIPs, the project cycles and processes and coherence between the NIPs and CARD, as well as HLGP) and identify the key policy goals and objectives for PESCO from 2021-2025 in preparation for the adaptation of the sequencing/more precise objectives; — the PESCO secretariat to present options to improve the follow-up to and explore the possibility of incentives for the fulfilment of some commitments which have not been sufficiently fulfilled by the pMS; — the PESCO secretariat to present before the end of 2020 a document for validation to finalise the PESCO Strategic Review; and — pMS to review their NIPs with a view to updating them as appropriate.

---

(1)  OJ L 331, 14.12.2017, p. 57.

(2)  OJ C 88, 8.3.2018, p. 1.

(3)  OJ C 374, 16.10.2018, p. 1.

(4)  OJ C 166, 15.5.2019, p. 1.

(5)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/909 of 25 June 2018 establishing a common set of governance rules for PESCO projects (OJ L 161, 26.6.2018, p. 37).

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.9838 – Altor Fund Manager/Eleda/JVAB)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 204/02)

On 11 June 2020, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

—	in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32020M9838. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.9666 – Deutsche Asphalt/KEMNA BAU Andrae/Heideasphalt)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 204/03)

On 4 June 2020, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in German and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

—	in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32020M9666. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.9331 – Danaher/GE Healthcare Life Sciences Biopharma)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 204/04)

On 18 December 2019, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) in conjunction with Article 6(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

—	in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

—	in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32019M9331. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

Euro exchange rates (1)

17 June 2020

(2020/C 204/05)

1 euro =

	Currency	Exchange rate
USD	US dollar	1,1232
JPY	Japanese yen	120,65
DKK	Danish krone	7,4560
GBP	Pound sterling	0,89448
SEK	Swedish krona	10,5123
CHF	Swiss franc	1,0669
ISK	Iceland króna	152,40
NOK	Norwegian krone	10,7050
BGN	Bulgarian lev	1,9558
CZK	Czech koruna	26,561
HUF	Hungarian forint	344,50
PLN	Polish zloty	4,4467
RON	Romanian leu	4,8355
TRY	Turkish lira	7,7012
AUD	Australian dollar	1,6292
CAD	Canadian dollar	1,5204
HKD	Hong Kong dollar	8,7049
NZD	New Zealand dollar	1,7395
SGD	Singapore dollar	1,5650
KRW	South Korean won	1 362,21
ZAR	South African rand	19,2289
CNY	Chinese yuan renminbi	7,9602
HRK	Croatian kuna	7,5460
IDR	Indonesian rupiah	15 948,04
MYR	Malaysian ringgit	4,8095
PHP	Philippine peso	56,273
RUB	Russian rouble	78,1853
THB	Thai baht	35,055
BRL	Brazilian real	5,8521
MXN	Mexican peso	24,9416
INR	Indian rupee	85,5505

---

(1)  Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

Commission information notice pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 204/06)

Member State	Italy
Routes concerned	Comiso-Roma Fiumicino and vice versa Comiso-Milano Linate and vice versa Comiso-Milano Malpensa and vice versa Comiso-Bergamo Orio al Serio and vice versa
Period of validity of the contract	From 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2023
Deadline for submission of tenders	Two months after the date of publication of this notice
Address from which the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public tender and the public service obligation can be obtained	National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) Air transport development and licensing department Viale Castro Pretorio, 118 00185 Roma ITALIA Tel. +39 0644596515 Email: osp@enac.gov.it Website: http://www.mit.gov.it http://www.enac.gov.it

Commission information notice pursuant to Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Modification of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services

Text with EEA relevance

(2020/C 204/07)

Member State	Italy
Routes concerned	Comiso-Roma Fiumicino and vice versa Comiso-Milan Linate and vice versa Comiso-Milan Malpensa and vice versa Comiso-Bergamo Orio al Serio and vice versa
Original date of entry into force of the public service obligations	1 August 2020
New date of entry into force of the public service obligations	1 November 2020
Address where the text and any information and/or documentation relating to the public service obligation can be obtained	Reference document OJ C 69, 3.3.2020, p. 10 For further information: Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport Department of Transport, Navigation, General Affairs and Human Resources Directorate-General for Airports and Air Transport Via Giuseppe Caraci, 36 00157 Roma ITALIA Tel. +39 0641583690 National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) Air transport development and licensing department Viale Castro Pretorio, 118 00185 Roma ITALIA Tel. +39 0644596515 Website http: //www.mit.gov.it http://www.enac.gov.it Email: dg.ta@pec.mit.gov osp@enac.gov.it

Commission information notice pursuant to Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Modification of public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 204/08)

Member State	Italy
Routes concerned	Trapani–Trieste and vice versa Trapani–Brindisi and vice versa Trapani–Parma and vice versa Trapani–Ancona and vice versa Trapani–Perugia and vice versa Trapani–Napoli and vice versa
Original date of entry into force of the public service obligations	15 July 2020
New date of entry into force of the public service obligations	1 November 2020
Address where the text and any information and/or documentation relating to the public service obligation can be obtained	Reference document OJ C 29, 28.1.2020, p. 10. For further information: Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport Department of Transport, Navigation, General Affairs and Human Resources Directorate-General for Airports and Air Transport Via Giuseppe Caraci, 36 00157 Roma ITALIA Tel. +39 0641583690 National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) Air transport development and licensing department Viale Castro Pretorio, 118 00185 Roma ITALIA Tel. +39 0644596515 Website http://www.mit.gov.it http://www.enac.gov.it Email: dg.ta@pec.mit.gov osp@enac.gov.it

Commission information notice pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 204/09)

Member State	Italy
Routes concerned	Trapani-Ancona and vice versa
Period of validity of the contract	From 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2023
Deadline for submission of tenders	Two months after the date of publication of this notice
Address from which the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public tender and the public service obligation can be obtained	National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) Air transport development and licensing department Viale Castro Pretorio, 118 00185 Roma ITALIA Tel. +39 0644596515 Email: osp@enac.gov.it Website: http://www.mit.gov.it http://www.enac.gov.it

Commission information notice pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 204/10)

Member State	Italy
Routes concerned	Trapani–Brindisi and vice versa
Period of validity of the contract	From 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2023
Deadline for submission of tenders	Two months after the date of publication of this notice
Address from which the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public tender and the public service obligation can be obtained	National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) Air transport development and licensing department Viale Castro Pretorio, 118 00185 Roma ITALIA Tel. +39 0644596515 Email: osp@enac.gov.it Website: http://www.mit.gov.it http://www.enac.gov.it

Commission information notice pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 204/11)

Member State	Italy
Routes concerned	Trapani-Naples and vice versa
Period of validity of the contract	From 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2023
Deadline for submission of tenders	Two months after the date of publication of this notice
Address from which the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public tender and the public service obligation can be obtained	National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) Air transport development and licensing department Viale Castro Pretorio, 118 00185 Roma ITALIA Tel. +39 0644596515 Email: osp@enac.gov.it Website: http://www.mit.gov.it http://www.enac.gov.it

Commission information notice pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 204/12)

Member State	Italy
Routes concerned	Trapani–Parma and vice versa
Period of validity of the contract	From 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2023
Deadline for submission of tenders	Two months after the date of publication of this notice
Address from which the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public tender and the public service obligation can be obtained	National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) Air transport development and licensing department Viale Castro Pretorio, 118 00185 Roma ITALIA Tel. +39 0644596515 Email: osp@enac.gov.it Website: http://www.mit.gov.it http://www.enac.gov.it

Commission information notice pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 204/13)

Member State	Italy
Routes concerned	Trapani-Perugia and vice versa
Period of validity of the contract	From 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2023
Deadline for submission of tenders	Two months after the date of publication of this notice
Address from which the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public tender and the public service obligation can be obtained	National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) Air transport development and licensing department Viale Castro Pretorio, 118 00185 Roma ITALIA Tel. +39 0644596515 Email: osp@enac.gov.it Website: http://www.mit.gov.it   http://www.enac.gov.it

Commission information notice pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 204/14)

Member State	Italy
Routes concerned	Trapani-Trieste and vice versa
Period of validity of the contract	From 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2023
Deadline for submission of tenders	Two months after the date of publication of this notice
Address from which the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation relating to the public tender and the public service obligation can be obtained	National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) Air transport development and licensing department Viale Castro Pretorio, 118 00185 Roma ITALIA Tel. +39 0644596515 Email: osp@enac.gov.it Website: http://www.mit.gov.it   http://www.enac.gov.it

Commission information notice pursuant to Article 17(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Invitation to tender in respect of the operation of scheduled air services in accordance with public service obligations

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2020/C 204/15)

Member State	Spain
Routes concerned	Melilla-Almería/Granada/Sevilla
Period of validity of the contract	From 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021
Deadline for submission of tenders	2 months following the date of publication of this notice
Address where the text of the invitation to tender and any relevant information and/or documentation related to the public tender and the public service obligation can be obtained	Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana Dirección General de Aviación Civil Subdirección General de Transporte Aéreo Paseo de la Castellana 67 28071 Madrid Madrid ESPAÑA Email: osp.dgac@mitma.es

State aid – Decision to raise no objections

(2020/C 204/16)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority raises no objections to the following state aid measure:

Date of adoption of the decision	11 March 2020
Case No	84744
Decision No	017/20/COL
EFTA State	Norway
Title (and/or name of the beneficiary)	The Hywind Tampen Project
Legal basis	‘Promotion of energy from renewable sources’ aid scheme under Enova’s programme ‘Full scale innovative energy and climate technology’
Type of measure	Individual aid
Objective	Renewable energy, environmental protection
Form of aid	Direct grant
Budget	NOK 2 229,6 million (discounted)
Intensity	43,5 %
Economic sectors	Production of electricity
Name and address of the granting authority	Enova SF Brattørkaia 17A 7010 Trondheim NORWAY

The authentic text of the decision, from which all confidential information has been removed, can be found on the EFTA Surveillance Authority’s website: http://www.eftasurv.int/state-aid/state-aid-register/decisions/

JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

of 10 March 2020

in Case E-3/19

Gable Insurance AG in Konkurs

(Directive 2009/138/EC – insolvency – winding-up proceedings – insurance claim – judicial composition – differential treatment of insurance claims)

(2020/C 204/17)

In Case E-3/19, Gable Insurance AG in Konkurs – REQUEST to the Court under Article 34 of the Agreement between the EFTA States on the Establishment of a Surveillance Authority and a Court of Justice by the Princely Court of Liechtenstein (Fürstliches Landgericht) concerning the interpretation of Directive 2009/138/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the taking-up and pursuit of the business of Insurance and Reinsurance (Solvency II), as adapted to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, the Court, composed of Páll Hreinsson, President, Per Christiansen (Judge-Rapporteur), and Bernd Hammermann, Judges, gave judgment on 10 March 2020, the operative part of which is as follows:

1.

An insurance claim must be based on an insured event occurring before the cancellation of an insurance contract for it to be considered an insurance claim within the meaning of Article 268(1)(g) of Directive 2009/138/EC. However, the scope of an insurance claim cannot be limited to claims that have arisen, been lodged or admitted before the opening of the winding-up procedure if the claim cannot yet be fully determined. In accordance with Article 274(2)(g) of Directive 2009/138/EC, it is for national law to set the specific rules and conditions concerning the lodging, verification and admission of claims, including temporal limits for the lodging of claims and the final determination of the amount of insurance claims in cases where elements of the debt are not yet known, provided that insurance claims are given absolute precedence over other claims in accordance with Article 275(1)(a) of Directive 2009/138/EC. A claim for owed premium arising from the cancellation of an insurance contract after the opening of the winding-up proceedings does not constitute an insurance claim within the meaning of Article 268(1)(g) of Directive 2009/138/EC.

2.

Article 268(1)(d) and Article 274(2)(i) of Directive 2009/138/EC neither oblige EEA States to provide, nor preclude them from providing, for composition in the termination of winding-up proceedings. It is for national law to determine the requirements to close winding-up proceedings, subject to respecting the principle of equal treatment of insurance creditors.

3.

Article 275(1)(a) of Directive 2009/138/EC does not preclude national rules on the lodging, verification and admissibility of insurance claims that result in different categorisation and ranking of insurance claims, provided those rules ensure that insurance claims take precedence over other claims and that insurance creditors are treated equally as regards the lodging, verification and admission of claims.

Publication of an application for registration of a name pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2020/C 204/18)

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) within three months from the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘LIMONE DELL’ETNA’

EU No: PGI-IT-02444 – 12.12.2018

PDO ( ) PGI (X)

1.   Name

‘Limone dell’Etna’

2.   Member State or third country

Italy

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.6: Fruit, vegetables and cereals fresh or processed

3.2.   Description of product to which the name in (1) applies

The name ‘Limone dell’Etna’ identifies the lemons grown in the area along the Etna coastal strip, in an area between the Alcantara river in the north and the northern boundary of the municipality of Catania. It is reserved for the cultivars ‘Femminello’ (and clones thereof) and ‘Monachello’ of the botanical species Citrus limon (L.) Burm. The link with the geographical area is based on the characteristics and qualities of the product.

When released for consumption, the product must have the following characteristics and quality parameters:

Cultivar and production periods	Fruit characteristics	Quality parameters
‘Femminello’ ‘Primofiore’ winter fruit fruit harvested on or after 15 September	skin colour: from light green to lemon yellow; shape: elliptical; weight: at least 90 g; flesh colour: from light green to lemon yellow	juice characteristics: colour: lemon yellow yield > 34 % acidity > 5,5 % total soluble solids: Brix value of the flesh > 7 yield of essential oils > 0,3 %
‘Femminello’ ‘Bianchetto’ or ‘maiolino’ spring lemon fruit harvested on or after 1 April	skin colour: light yellow; shape: elliptical or ovoid; weight: at least 90 g; flesh colour: yellow	juice characteristics: colour: lemon yellow yield > 34 % acidity > 5,5 % total soluble solids: Brix value of the flesh > 7 yield of essential oils > 0,3 %
‘Femminello’ ‘Verdello’ (or summer lemon) fruit harvested on or after 15 May	skin colour: from green to light yellow; shape: elliptical-spheroidal; weight: at least 80 g; flesh colour: from light green to lemon yellow	juice characteristics: colour: lemon yellow yield > 30 % acidity > 5,5 % total soluble solids: Brix value of the flesh > 7 yield of essential oils > 0,3 %
‘Monachello’ ‘Primofiore’ winter fruit fruit harvested on or after 15 October	skin colour: from light green to lemon yellow; shape: elliptical; weight: at least 90 g; flesh colour: from light green to lemon yellow	juice characteristics: colour: lemon yellow yield > 25 % acidity > 5,5 % total soluble solids: Brix value of the flesh > 7 yield of essential oils > 0,3 %
‘Monachello’ ‘Bianchetto’ or ‘maiolino’ spring lemon fruit harvested on or after 1 April	skin colour: light yellow; shape: elliptical or ovoid; weight: at least 90 g; flesh colour: yellow	juice characteristics: colour: lemon yellow yield > 25 % acidity > 5,5 % total soluble solids: Brix value of the flesh > 7 yield of essential oils > 0,3 %
‘Monachello’ ‘Verdello’ (or summer lemon) fruit harvested on or after 15 May	skin colour: from green to light yellow; shape: elliptical-spheroidal; weight: at least 80 g; flesh colour: from light green to lemon yellow	juice characteristics: colour: lemon yellow yield > 25 % acidity > 5,5 % total soluble solids: Brix value of the flesh > 7 yield of essential oils > 0,3 %

Fruit bearing the ‘Limone dell’Etna’ protected geographical indication must be marketed fresh, belong to class ‘Extra’ or ‘I’, and be of size 3, 4, 5 or 6.

Provided that it complies with the specific quality parameters of the juice and the yield of essential oils, fruit whose class, size, shape, weight or skin colour differ from those laid down may, in addition to the fruit specified above, bear the ‘Limone dell’Etna’ PGI and be used for processing only. Such fruit may not be sold to the end consumer as fresh fruit.

3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

—

3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

All steps in the production of ‘Limone dell’Etna’ must take place in the geographical area identified in section 4 below.

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

‘Limone dell’Etna’ lemons may be released for consumption loose or in any type of packaging that complies with the legislation in force.

3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

Stickers must be affixed on 100 % of the fruit released for consumption loose. The stickers must feature the ‘Limone dell’Etna’ PGI logo which is described and shown below.

‘Limone dell’Etna’ lemons may also be released for consumption via retail sale bearing a label that is displayed visibly and gives the same information as that required on packaging.

Lemons intended for processing that may not be sold to the end consumer as fresh fruit may be sold ‘loose’, without stickers, in packages or containers that comply with the legislation in force and feature, on at least one of the sides, in clear and legible print, the wording ‘Limone dell’Etna IGP destinato alla trasformazione’ (‘Limone dell’Etna PGI intended for processing’) and specifying the cultivar and batch, or directly from the trailers of dedicated vehicles with it being strictly prohibited for fruit other than ‘Limone dell’Etna’ PGI to be present.

The label on the packaging must feature, in clear and legible print, not only the European PGI symbol, the ‘Limone dell’Etna’ PGI logo, described below, and the information required by law, but also the name of the cultivar, the product class and the size. The use of private brands is permitted provided that they do not mislead consumers and are allowed under the legislation in force. It is prohibited to add any descriptions and wordings other than those expressly allowed by the product specification, including adjectives such as ‘fine’ (‘fine’), ‘superiore’ (‘superior’), ‘selezionato’ (‘selected’), ‘scelto’ (‘choice’) and similar. Laudatory terms may not be used.

‘Limone dell’Etna’ PGI logo

The logo depicts two lemons and the wording ‘Limone dell’Etna IGP’ (‘Limone dell’Etna PGI’).

The logo may not be modified in any way, nor may it be partially used or modified.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area where ‘Limone dell’Etna’ lemons are grown is located in the province of Catania along the strip of land between the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna and comprises the administrative territory of the following municipalities: Aci Bonaccorsi, Aci Castello, Aci Catena, Aci Sant’Antonio, Acireale, Calatabiano, Castiglione di Sicilia, Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, Giarre, Mascali, Piedimonte Etneo, Riposto, Santa Venerina, San Gregorio di Catania, Valverde, Zafferana Etnea.

5.   Link with the geographical area

The link between the product and the geographical area is the key element making it stand out and is based on the quality characteristics of the fruit.

The name ‘Limone dell’Etna’ identifies lemons grown in the area on the lower slopes of Mount Etna and brings to mind the qualitative features and the elements typical of the area and its tradition that have been handed down from generation to generation for more than two centuries.

As regards the quality characteristics, the epicarp of ‘Limone dell’Etna’ is very rich in oil glands and contains essential oils of high aromatic quality. In particular, the ‘citral’ (mixture of the aldehydes geranial and neral) responsible for the characteristic lemon flavour stands out.

The quality characteristics of the essential oils in ‘Limone dell’Etna’ give the fruit a specific character that is appreciated by consumers. These characteristics have also been the subject of study. Specifically, studies carried out by the former Experimental Institute for Citrus Fruit – now the Acireale-based Olive, Fruit and Citrus Research Centre of the Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis (CREA-OFA) – and by the Organic Chemistry Institute at the University of Messina on the quality of the essences obtained from lemons of the ‘Femminello’ cultivar sampled in typical areas of Sicily have shown that the essential oils obtained from fruit from the ‘Limone dell’Etna’ production area are characterised by an average citral content (3,61 %) that is higher than that of lemons from other areas studied, namely Siracusa (3,49 %) and Bagheria (3,29 %) (Source: Industrie e Conserve No 2, 1969, pp. 110–116).

The same has been found for the ‘Monachello’ variety of ‘Limone dell’Etna’. According to another study carried out by the Olive, Fruit and Citrus Research Centre in Acireale (CREA-OFA) on the quality of the essences obtained from lemons of the ‘Monachello’ cultivar, the essential oils obtained from fruit from the ‘Limone dell’Etna’ production area are characterised by a higher average citral content, since their geranial and neral content of 1,67 % and 0,82 % respectively are higher than those of lemons from the localities of Lascari (province of Palermo) (0,70 %–0,59 % and 0,85 %–0,72 %) and Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto (province of Messina) (1,15 % and 0,77 %) (Source: ‘Contributo alla conoscenza delle essenze di limone di alcune cultivar italiane’ in Rivista Italiana Essenze, Profumi, Piante Officinali, Aromi, Saponi, Cosmetici, Volume XLVII, No 7, July 1965, pp. 370–377; ‘Ricerche sugli olii essenziali del flavedo di 44 cloni di limone’ in Essenze Derivati Agrumari, Volume LVII, No 3, July–September 1987; ‘Determinazione delle caratteristiche analitiche e della composizione enantiomerica di oli essenziali agrumari ai fini dell’accertamento della purezza e della qualità’ in Essenze Derivati Agrumari, Volume 74, No 1, January–April 2004).

The quality of ‘Limone dell’Etna’ lemons can be attributed to the fact that they develop and ripen in an environment that is very specific in terms of soil and climate, with volcanic soils typical of the areas close to the volcanic Mount Etna and a climate made milder by the sea.

‘Limone dell’Etna’ lemons are grown in volcanic soils of varying degrees of development situated on old volcanic lithological formations. The soils are heterogeneous in terms of their grain size and texture: the hilly part of the defined area has soils that are rather shallow, very rocky on the surface, sandy in texture and very stony, while in the coastal part the soils are more highly developed, deeper and with a sandy loam texture (Source: Chemical/Agricultural Laboratory, SOAT (Operational Unit for Technical Assistance), Acireale).

In addition, studies carried out at CREA-OFA (Acta Italus Hortus, No 9, 2013, pp. 61–65; Food Chemistry, No 211, 2016, pp. 734–740) have shown that ‘Limone dell’Etna’ has high concentrations of manganese and strontium because of the specific type of land, which is predominantly volcanic owing to the presence of the volcanic Mount Etna, and because of the composition of the basaltic rocks.

Besides the characteristic of the soils, there are other natural factors that help create optimal conditions for growing ‘Limone dell’Etna’.

The factors that influence the climate of the ‘Limone dell’Etna’ growing area are primarily temperatures and topography.

Temperatures are strongly influenced by the proximity to the Ionian Sea and the presence of the complex volcano Etna. Favourable temperatures mean that, over the centuries, lemon growing has spread along the Etna coastal strip and in the hills directly flanking the coast, in an area between the Alcantara river in the north and the northern boundary of the municipality of Catania in the south.

The topography plays a crucial role in determining rainfall: at a latitude characterised by semi-arid or dry climates, the presence of the volcano leads to high rainfall, which in the lemon production areas totals around 600–700 mm/year. The occurrence of summer storms, which are relatively frequent on the eastern side of the mountain, help to keep temperatures down.

The atmospheric humidity readings on the eastern side of Mount Etna, with particular reference to the weather station at CREA-OFA in Acireale (194 m above sea level), show that, over the past 27 years (1990–2017), average annual humidity was around 67 %, with average highs not exceeding 88 % and average lows not falling below 43 %.

Sunshine and wind are other important climate factors that have a decisive influence on the crop.

The average hours of sunshine recorded via the Monthly Bulletin (from 1936 to 1939) at the Collegio Pennisi Monitoring Station (Source: Il clima di Acireale nei suoi elementi metereologici anno 1943) show that the number of hours in Acireale exceeds that of other towns. This is confirmed by the cloudiness readings at that monitoring station.

A specific feature that is present only in the ‘Limone dell’Etna’ area is the special growing technique known as ‘forzatura’ (‘forcing’) or ‘secca’ (‘dry’). Used by local producers, it allows fruit to be produced in summer and is typical of the ‘Limone dell’Etna’ growing area.

This technique, which makes it possible to force the tree to flower in summer and to give fruit in the period from May to September of the following year, was devised three centuries ago by specialists in the Ionian/Etna area, has been handed down from generation to generation for more than two centuries and is still now typical of the Acireale coastal area. Irrigation is not carried out in the month of June/July, causing water stress in the tree. After that period, though gradually intensifying irrigation and stimulating nitrogen-based fertilisation, the tree is awoken from its forced lethargy and this triggers a second flowering that will give fruit in the following year. The fruit obtained with this technique are known as ‘verdelli’.

An association between the image of Mount Etna and lemon growing goes back a very long way, as demonstrated by the tissue paper in which the lemons were wrapped in packages dating from the start of the century.

References to Etna lemon-growing can also be found in novels from that era. In 1894’s ‘I Vicerè’ (‘The Viceroys’), Federico De Roberto wrote about the work carried out to reclaim land and prospect for water by digging through the centuries-old lava of Mongibello to plant oranges and lemons.

Etna lemon-growing is well-known because of the production tradition that has characterised it for over two centuries. Bibliographic research has revealed a work of great historical and scientific interest, namely the study on Etna lemon-growing carried out by Giulio Savastano, a renowned early 20th century scientist, which was published in 1922 in the Annali della Regia Stazione Sperimentale di Agrumicoltura e Frutticoltura di Acireale under the title ‘La biologia colturale del limone nel versante orientale etneo’. In that paper, Savastano spoke of the historical, biological and agronomic reasons why lemon trees had found an ideal environment in the coastal strip on the eastern side of Mount Etna, described as the ‘regione etnea del limone’ (‘Etna lemon region’), which 100 years later now corresponds to the ‘Limone dell’Etna’ geographical area.

The toponyms Riviera dei Limoni and Città del Lemone Verdello, which are still commonly used, testify to how important the history of lemon-growing is to the area.

Reference to publication of the specification

(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)

The consolidated text of the product specification is available on the following website: http://www.politicheagricole.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/3335

or alternatively:

by going directly to the home page of the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy (www.politicheagricole.it) and clicking on ‘Qualità’ (at the top right of the screen), then on ‘Prodotti DOP IGP STG’ (on the left-hand side of the screen) and finally on ‘Disciplinari di Produzione all’esame dell’UE’.

---

(1)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.

Publication of an application for registration of a name pursuant to Article 50(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs

(2020/C 204/19)

This publication confers the right to oppose the application pursuant to Article 51 of Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) within three months from the date of this publication.

SINGLE DOCUMENT

‘Malostonska kamenica’

EU No: PDO-HR-02426 – 22.8.2018

PDO (X) PGI ( )

1.   Name(s)

‘Malostonska kamenica’

2.   Member State or third country

Republic of Croatia

3.   Description of the agricultural product or foodstuff

3.1.   Type of product

Class 1.7: Fresh fish, molluscs and crustaceans and products derived therefrom

3.2.   Description of the product to which the name in 1 applies

Taxonomically, ‘Malostonska kamenica’ belongs to the species of European flat oyster Ostrea edulis Linnaeus, 1758.

‘Malostonska kamenica’ is a firmly built, asymmetrical, inequivalve, sometimes brittle shellfish with an irregular oval shape and irregular edges. The left (lower) valve (shell) is cupped, while the right (upper) valve is flat and closes into the left valve. The valves are a yellowish, greyey-brown or yellowy-green colour, with purple or reddish tinges. The sculpture of the valves consists of concentric ridges or lines, grooves and ribs and leafy flakes. Radial grooves and ribs may also appear. The inside of the valve is a pearly-white colour, sometimes with multi-coloured blotches.

Soft tissue, or ‘meat’, fills most of the cavity of the valve and is edible without having to undergo heat treatment. The meat in the visceral hump is characterised by a glossy, whitish-yellowish, firm, domed and swollen fatty structure, while the edges of the mantle are very dark, usually black, and therefore in stark contrast to the bright and glossy visceral hump.

When placed on the market, ‘Malostonska kamenica’ must be alive and have the following characteristics:

—	its valves must be whole, without any damage or deformation, and cleaned of fouling organisms and other impurities;

—

the meat must have a greasy texture that melts in the mouth and is soft and succulent to bite; it must have a characteristic, sweet and salty, balanced taste produced from a combination of the sweet and full flavour of the visceral part and a pleasant sea-mineral flavour dominated by an aroma of iodine that lingers on the palate;

—	the minimum carbohydrate content in the meat must be 25 milligrams per gram of dry matter;

—	the meat index value, i.e. the proportion of meat out of the weight of the whole shellfish (weight of wet meat/weight of whole shellfish × 100) must be greater than 10,5 from February to July and in September, and over 6,5 the rest of the year;

—	as well as the meat, the inside of the valve must contain a characteristic, transparent and clear intervalvular liquid, characterised by a refreshing smell of seaweed in the tidal zone;

—	the minimum length of a single oyster must be 7 centimetres, the minimum weight 60 grams.

3.3.   Feed (for products of animal origin only) and raw materials (for processed products only)

—

3.4.   Specific steps in production that must take place in the identified geographical area

The first phase of farming consists of the harvesting of juvenile ‘Malostonska kamenica’, which involves preparing and installing collectors for the juvenile oysters and the grading and sorting of suitable ones. The second phase involves breeding the juvenile oysters in breeding farms until they reach commercial length. Two farming methods are distinguished: farming in crates and nets, and cementing. These two methods are usually combined.

The farming of ‘Malostonska kamenica’ occurs in floating farms.

All the above-mentioned phases in the production of ‘Malostonska kamenica’, up to harvesting for the market, must take place within the geographical area defined in point 4.

3.5.   Specific rules concerning slicing, grating, packaging, etc. of the product the registered name refers to

—

3.6.   Specific rules concerning labelling of the product the registered name refers to

When placing the product on the market with any type of pre-packaging, the labelling must contain the name ‘Malostonska kamenica’, and be clearly distinguishable by size, type and colour of the letters (typography) from any other inscription.

4.   Concise definition of the geographical area

The geographical area in which all production phases of ‘Malostonska kamenica’ take place encompasses the waters of Mali Ston Bay that belong to the Republic of Croatia. Mali Ston Bay is a 28-km stretch of the Neretva Channel that extends between the shores of the mainland and the Pelješac peninsula in a north-westerly/south-easterly direction. It measures 6,1 km at its widest point, between the port of Drače and Soline cove. The bay covers the area from Kuta cove at one end, to the cape of Rat on Pelješac and the cape of Rivine on the mainland at the other end, where the bay is 4,5 km wide.

5.   Link with the geographical area

The specificity of ‘Malostonska kamenica’ is based on the unique natural characteristics of Mali Ston Bay, which have led to its designation as a protected natural area, and on the expertise developed over centuries of breeding oysters in Mali Ston Bay. The unique characteristics of the waters of Mali Ston Bay, the optimum quantity and composition of the food, the excellent quality of the sea water, and the use of traditional know-how and expertise are all directly reflected in the quality and organoleptic characteristics of this prized product.

5.1.   Specificity of the geographical area

Mali Ston Bay has been known throughout history as the place where ‘Malostonska kamenica’ is farmed. It is thanks to the bay’s specific ecological conditions that scientists have shown an interest in the bay and carried out in-depth research here since 1979. The findings of this research led the competent state bodies to designate this a protected area in 1983. It is protected as a special marine reserve to this day.

Mali Ston Bay is characterised by significant freshwater input from submarine springs, the Neretva River and precipitation washing off the mainland. These waters act as a specific regulator of temperature and salinity and enrich Mali Ston Bay with nutrients, making the area highly productive. Mali Ston Bay is shallow, with an average depth of 15 m and a silty seabed, which not only helps maintain the particular ecological conditions for shellfish farming, but also favours production techniques.

The specificity of the coastal geographical area of Mali Ston Bay lies in its vegetation, which is dominated by scrubland and holm oak woodland, the plant residues of which are deposited on the coastal top soil, preventing soil erosion. This vegetation allows for a gradual flow of nutrients (phosphates, silicates, nitrates) and minerals from the mainland to the sea, contributing to a balanced development of the phytoplankton populations that provide ‘Malostonska kamenica’ with important nutrients.

The characteristics of the waters are also influenced by the winds. Under the influence of northerly and southerly winds, water exits Mali Ston Bay in the surface layer and enters the bay in the bottom layer, bringing with it deep-sea plankton species. By contrast, strong westerly winds amplify the effect of the Neretva River, thereby reducing salinity values. The shallow depth of the waters gives rise to powerful sea currents running in variable directions. This allows the sea waters of the bay to be well-aerated and ensures planktonic food is well distributed.

The constant flow of nutrients from the mainland, powerful currents, the influence of the winds, and thermohaline properties combine to form a specific plankton community. A total of 195 species of microphytoplankton have been found in Mali Ston Bay. Diatoms and gymnodinioid dinoflagellates dominate throughout the year, while in winter a dense population of microzooplankton develops in the bay, especially groups of tintinnids, formed of 20 species.

The tradition of shellfish farming in Mali Ston Bay with particular regard to oysters dates as far back as the Roman Empire (Pliny – Naturalis Historia) and the Dubrovnik Republic (Order of the Prince of Ston from 1641). The first available archive record on how to gather oysters from natural nurseries and on semi-farming in Mali Ston Bay dates from 1573. Oyster farming was already well-established by the 16th century, when it was in the hands of representatives of the Dubrovnik Republic in Ston. The first commercial shellfish farm on the Dalmatian coast was founded by Captain Stijepo Bjelovučić in Sutvid cove, next to Drače, in 1889, significantly improving the technique for farming oysters in the area.

The centuries-old tradition of oyster farming in Mali Ston Bay has resulted in an accumulation of specific know-how and expertise among local shellfish farmers. These farmers became increasingly familiar with the characteristics of the production area over time, constantly adapting and enhancing their farming practices so as to improve the quantity and quality of the oysters farmed.

One of the farming processes is linked to the high plankton production of Mali Ston Bay, which has a positive effect on the growth and condition of the oysters, but also favours the intensive growth of fouling organisms, which slow the development of oysters. For that reason, local farmers clean the oysters of these fouling organisms more frequently, selecting only the best oysters for further farming. As oysters are very sensitive during the early phases, the fouling organisms are cleaned off by hand, which allows the oysters to be examined one by one before being selected or discarded. To breed oysters of the highest quality, the above process is carried out 3-5 times during a single production cycle.

5.2.   Details of the quality of the product

The specificity of ‘Malostonska kamenica’ is based primarily on the organoleptic characteristics of the meat.

The meat of ‘Malostonska kamenica’ is characterised by a firm, domed and swollen fatty structure of a glossy whitish-yellowish colour, which develops as a result of the accumulation of glycogen in the visceral hump. Glycogen is a reserve substance and a source of energy for building and developing gonadal tissue during the spawning process. It is stored in the visceral hump above the gills, between the aductor and joint muscles. Glycogen is a polysaccharide of glucose, which accounts for almost the entire share of carbohydrates in the meat of the oyster. The highest glycogen content in the meat of ‘Malostonska kamenica’ can be found during winter and early spring, which means the oyster is at its fattiest and fattest during that period.

As well as the fatty tissue or ‘meat’, the inside of the valve of ‘Malostonska kamenica’ also contains a characteristic, transparent and clear intervalvular liquid, characterised by a refreshing smell of seaweed in the tidal zone.

The meat has a greasy texture and is soft and succulent to bite, with a specific, sweet and salty, balanced taste. The taste is produced from a combination of the sweet and full flavour of the visceral part and a pleasant sea-mineral flavour dominated by an aroma of iodine that lingers on the palate. The visceral hump, with its reserves of glycogen, melts in the mouth, producing a distinct, sweet and full flavour. The characteristic mineral flavour is the result of a combination of the minerals contained in the meat and intervalvular liquid.

The carbohydrate content of the meat of ‘Malostonska kamenica’ – formed almost entirely of glycogen – varies according to the time of year. To ensure the minimum quality of ‘Malostonska kamenica’ in terms of its recognisable succulence and sweetness, the minimum carbohydrate content in the meat must be 25 milligrams per gram of dry matter.

The commercial quality of ‘Malostonska kamenica’ is mainly determined by the amount of meat inside the mantle cavity, i.e. by the meat index. In a scientific study, A. Gavrilović and others tested the quality of meat of ‘Malostonska kamenica’ in Mali Ston Bay and found, according to the French standard (IFREMER, 2003), that ‘Malostonska kamenica’ can be divided into three different quality groups by meat index value (weight of wet meat/weight of whole shellfish × 100). The meat index shows that for seven months of the year (from February to July, and in September) ‘Malostonska kamenica’, according to the French standard, belongs to the top category (catégorie spéciale, with a meat index > 10,5), and for the rest of the year to the excellent category (catégorie fine, with a meat index of 6,5–10,5). The lowest category, ‘non-classified’ (non classées, meat index < 6,5), was not found. This suggests that ‘Malostonska kamenica’ is of outstanding quality all year round, especially considering that even in the lower category of ‘excellent’, the values are very close to the maximum standard for that category (A. Gavrilović and others, Utjecaj indeksa kondicije i stupnja infestacije ljušture polihetom Polydora spp. na kvalitetu europske plosnate kamenice Ostrea edulis (Linneaus, 1758) iz Malostonskog zaljeva, 2008).

The results of genetic analyses also point to the specificity of ‘Malostonska kamenica’, confirming the genetic diversity of its population, which differs from the other populations of oysters analysed in terms of the number of different haplotypes (Annex 4.20. Ruđer Bošković Institute, Final report on a project entitled Zaštita proizvodnje malostonske kamenice dokazivanjem autohtonosti, 2009).

‘Malostonska kamenica’ is named after Mali Ston Bay, where the oyster is farmed. The name first appeared and began to be used in everyday speech in the 1970s (A. Šimunović, Problemi uzgoja kamenica u Malostonskom zaljevu, 1975).

The level of recognition enjoyed by ‘Malostonska kamenica’ was demonstrated in a Croatia-wide poll. The findings of the poll, carried out on a sample of 1 000 respondents in six Croatian regions, point to a high degree of recognition of ‘Malostonska kamenica’. When asked ‘Have you heard of Malostonska kamenica?’, 56 % of respondents answered in the affirmative.

At the end of the 19th century, ‘Malostonska kamenica’ was awarded various diplomas. It won the Grand Prix award at the World Exhibition in London in 1936, earning the gold medal for quality.

5.3.   Causal link between the geographical area and the product

The specific characteristics of ‘Malostonska kamenica’ are produced under the influence of environmental factors of the geographical area in which they are farmed, and are partly the result of traditional farming practices used by local shellfish farmers.

A major environmental factor is the freshwater that enters Mali Ston Bay from various sources. This freshwater reduces the salinity of the sea water, while also acting as a heat regulator. By reducing the seasonal temperature highs and lows of the sea water, and its salinity, the negative influence of these factors on the growth and development of the oysters is reduced in turn. The freshwater also enriches Mali Ston Bay with nutrients, making the area highly productive, and the specific vegetation allows for a gradual flow of nutrients (phosphates, silicates, nitrates) and minerals from the mainland to the sea, contributing to a balanced development of the phytoplankton populations that provide ‘Malostonska kamenica’ with important nutrients. The regulated temperature and salinity and the uniform development of the phyto- and microzooplankton populations are reflected in the consistently high meat index for ‘Malostonska kamenica’ throughout the year. This confirms the link between the specific conditions in the bay and the quality of the oyster all year round. In addition to providing nutrients, the increased flow of freshwater also increases the concentration of minerals in Mali Ston Bay, which in turn affects the accumulation of these minerals – especially zinc, iron and iodine – in the meat of the oyster.

The specific ecological conditions of Mali Ston Bay and its geographical isolation may also have influenced the biological specificity of ‘Malostonska kamenica’, as reflected in its genetic diversity compared with other populations. The fact that ‘Malostonska kamenica’ has fully adapted to its local environment, combined with traditional farming practices, allows its genetic potential to be realised to the full, which can ultimately be seen in the specific organoleptic characteristics of the product.

The specific ecological conditions in Mali Ston Bay have a positive effect on the reproductive cycle of ‘Malostonska kamenica’, resulting in a biannual spawning cycle with high concentrations of larvae. Mali Ston Bay has the highest concentration of larvae in the Adriatic Sea and is the only part of the Adriatic where larvae can be harvested successfully twice a year (M. Meštrov and A. Požar-Domac, Bitna svojstva ekosistema Malostonskog zaljeva i zaštita, 1981, A. Šimunović, Stanje i problemi uzgoja kamenice i dagnje u Malostonskom zaljevu, 2001). As well as pointing to the extremely favourable conditions for oyster farming in Mali Ston Bay, the biannual spawning cycle once again confirms the specificity of ‘Malostonska kamenica’ and its ability to realise its specific genetic potential to the full.

The use of traditional farming processes, including the frequent cleaning-out by hand of fouling organisms, and the specific method for selecting oysters, in which only the best are picked for further rearing, affect the oysters’ filtration capacity and their ability to feed, i.e. their growth and development. The manual cleaning method used by shellfish farmers in Mali Ston Bay greatly reduces the occurrence of the polychaete Polydora sp., which negatively affects the condition index and organoleptic characteristics of the oyster. A much lower number of polychaeta has been found in the valves of oysters in Mali Ston Bay compared with other production areas. Local shellfish farmers have learned from experience that examining and cleaning oysters 3-5 times during a production cycle ensures maximum filtration capacity, which affects not only nutrition, but also the reproductive cycle and the absorption of minerals, as well as the characteristic taste of ‘Malostonska kamenica’.

Genetic specificity; the diversity and combination of plankton species; the specific reproductive cycle; the flow of minerals from the mainland; powerful sea currents; the quality and good aeration of the sea water; and the use of traditional expertise by local shellfish farmers: all these factors combine to produce the high quality and specific, recognisable organoleptic characteristics of ‘Malostonska kamenica’.

Reference to publication of the product specification

(the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) of this Regulation)

https://poljoprivreda.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/arhiva/datastore/filestore/82/Specifikacija-Malostonska-kamenica-11.pdf

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(1)  OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1.